Police: Georgetown man arrested while gassing up stolen van

A Georgetown man was arrested in Harbeson early Thursday morning after police reportedly found him using a stolen credit card to purchase gas for a stolen van.

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By Scott Goss

Sussex Countian

By Scott Goss

Posted Jan. 10, 2013 at 3:38 PM
Updated Jan 10, 2013 at 3:41 PM

By Scott Goss

Posted Jan. 10, 2013 at 3:38 PM
Updated Jan 10, 2013 at 3:41 PM

Harbeson, Del.

A Georgetown man was arrested in Harbeson early Thursday morning after police reportedly found him using a stolen credit card to purchase gas for a stolen van.

State troopers took Robert C. Rust, 33, into custody at the Harbeson Deli on the southeast corner of Harbeson Road and Lewes-Georgetown Highway just after 3 a.m., Delaware State Police spokesman Master Cpl. Gary Fournier said.

Police had been looking for Rust after receiving a report of someone looking through cars in the Trails of Beaver Creek neighborhood near Harbeson. Responding troopers found a truck parked in front of a home in the 27000 block of Buckskin Trail containing Rust’s wallet, as well as .025 grams of suspected heroin and drug paraphernalia, Fournier said.

A 34-year-old later notified police that his work van had been stolen from the 27000 block of Covered Bridge Trail, also in the Trails of Beaver Creek neighborhood.

The victim followed his work van to the Harbeson Deli and watched Rust begin to pump gas into the vehicle as he waited for police to arrive.

Troopers later learned Rust had purchased the gas with a stolen credit card that belongs to a 39-year-old woman who also lives in the Trails of Beaver Creek Neighborhood, Fournier said.

Rust is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, theft under $1,500, unlawful use of a credit card, driving on a suspended or revoked license, driving under the influence of drugs, drug possession, criminal trespass and loitering.

He is being held at the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $5,000 secured bond.